546 episodes

Hemant Mehta and Jessica Greiff cover the latest news, politics, and pop culture with a focus on atheism and religion.
This is the official podcast for FriendlyAtheist.com.

Friendly Atheist Podcast Friendly Atheist Podcast

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

Hemant Mehta and Jessica Greiff cover the latest news, politics, and pop culture with a focus on atheism and religion.
This is the official podcast for FriendlyAtheist.com.

    This Christian App Knows Where You Live

    This Christian App Knows Where You Live

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Satanists sue Tennessee district for trying to thwart After School Satan Club. (1:09)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Evangelicals are using a data-harvesting app to target new potential converts. (22:24)
    — FOX & Friends promotes Catholic app Hallow with on-air (paid) prayer segment. (34:07)
    — Wisconsin Supreme Court: Catholic-aligned charities don't get an automatic religious tax break. (41:27)
    — Despite the threat of Christian Nationalism, 80% of Americans say religion is "losing influence." (55:25)
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    • 1 hr 20 min
    Preacher Says MLK Was Not a Christian

    Preacher Says MLK Was Not a Christian

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Texas State Rep. Matt Schaefer: Every elected official in America is required "to worship God." (0:40)
    — Preacher John MacArthur faces backlash after saying Martin Luther King, Jr. was "not a Christian at all." (7:52)
    — SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Researchers say Christian leaders will embezzle an estimated $86 billion in 2024. (21:27)
    — "God & Country" highlights the growing threat of Christian Nationalism. (32:32)
    — Indian state criminalizes "magical healing" in move widely seen as anti-Christian. (52:47)
    — Wyoming Supreme Court dismisses atheist's $24M lawsuit over religious invocations. (1:06:29)
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    • 1 hr 23 min
    Christian Nationalists vs. Heidi Przybyla

    Christian Nationalists vs. Heidi Przybyla

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Christian Nationalists are furious at reporter Heidi Przybyla for accurately reporting on them. (1:45)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Why Liberty University's $14 million fine from the Dept. of Education is well-deserved. (25:42)
    — Norwegian court upholds ban on state funding for Jehovah's Witnesses. (59:46)
    — Owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy arrested for alleged kidnapping. (1:13:26) 
    — President Biden restored protections for anyone getting help from faith-based, taxpayer-funded groups. (1:26:42)
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    • 1 hr 42 min
    The "Filth" in Oklahoma

    The "Filth" in Oklahoma

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — GOP lawmaker pushes anti-abortion propaganda bill with scientific, antisemitic lies. (1:45)
    — After non-binary teen's death, lawmaker says Christians don't "want that filth" in Oklahoma. (19:15)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Violating IRS rules, hate-preacher Jack Hibbs endorses candidate from pulpit… again. (36:07)
    — California school board member claims Satanists are worse than literal Nazis. (59:04)
    — Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht threatens Spokane officials for condemning mayor's appearance at prayer event. (1:11:29)
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    • 1 hr 25 min
    Sam Alito's Fake Christian Persecution

    Sam Alito's Fake Christian Persecution

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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Alabama Supreme Court cites "wrath of a holy God" while claiming frozen embryos are "children." (0:43)
    SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/atheist today to get 10% off your first month.
    — Sam Alito is big mad that anti-gay Christians were struck from the jury in a case about a lesbian. (29:57)
    — Former Hillsong leader Brian Houston insists he wasn't searching for "ladies and girls" online. (47:42)
    — Texas school board trustees snuck an evangelical film crew into a public school. (1:01:18)
    — Congress members call out "ill-qualified hate preacher" who gave invocation. (1:09:07)
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    • 1 hr 22 min
    The Fair Reputation of White Evangelical Christians

    The Fair Reputation of White Evangelical Christians

    Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free version of the show!
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    Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.
    — Telling the truth about modern evangelical Christianity means admitting it's harmful. (1:12)
    — Christian Nationalist Jason Rapert thwarted in attempt to block funds for public libraries. (40:24)
    — After atheist’s invocation, Tavares (FL) City Council lets Christian give replacement prayer. (53:28)
    — Christian hate group leader claims fellow hate group isn't hate group. (59:50)
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    • 1 hr 15 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.3K Ratings

1.3K Ratings

BibliophileG ,

Double plus good

Factual podcast. Good for you!

pistolsmcgee ,

A crucial fixture of the atheist podcast industrial complex

I rely heavily on atheist/skeptical podcasts to keep me informed and to remind myself that a lot of people are just as concerned about the same issues I am. Because I listen to several of them, Hemant often chooses stories that I also hear covered by other shows, be they Thinking, Scathing, or some other kind of atheist. Even so, the analysis and opinions provided by Hemant and Jessica are refreshing and often frame the story in a new and different way.

And Jessica is fantastic. She’s the Cara Santa Maria of Jordan Holmeses. The “one host reports the story and the other reacts to it” model can be done very well or very poorly, and Hemant and Jessica do it very well. In this dynamic, Jessica’s job is undeniably the harder one. Hemant already knows the story and has had time to think about how to analyze and discuss it. Jessica is coming in cold more often than not, and her ability to roll with the story and punch it up on the fly is among the best I’ve heard.

dalayna89 ,

This podcast rocks!

Dear Friendly Atheist Podcast Team,

I just have to express my deep appreciation for the Friendly Atheist Podcast. The insightful discussions, thought-provoking topics, and genuine camaraderie between hosts make each episode a delight to listen to. The way you navigate through sensitive issues with empathy and logic is truly commendable, creating a safe space for critical thinking and respectful dialogue.

Jess, your presence on the podcast brings such warmth and perspective, making the conversations even more engaging and relatable. Your insights really resonate with the audience, and it would be absolutely wonderful if you could consider visiting Clarksville sometime in the future. Your visit would undoubtedly be a fantastic opportunity to connect with your listeners in a more personal way, and I have no doubt that it would be a memorable experience for all involved.

Thank you for all the hard work you put into creating such a fantastic podcast. Keep up the amazing work, and here's to many more enlightening episodes ahead!

Warm regards,
Jordan

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